The fallout from Tuesday night’s State of the Union address continues, extending beyond the political arena and into a very public feud between former President Donald Trump and veteran actor Robert De Niro. Trump launched a scathing attack on De Niro Wednesday, calling him “sick and demented” and questioning his intelligence following the actor’s criticism of the administration at a counter-programming event dubbed “State of the Swamp.”
The exchange began after De Niro delivered an impassioned speech at the Washington D.C. Event, describing Trump as “failing, flailing and desperate” and expressing a sense of “betrayal” by his country. He urged Americans to resist the current administration. Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, characterizing De Niro as suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and suggesting he leave the United States alongside Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
“Robert De Niro, afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome (is) another sick, mentally deranged person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying, some of which is frankly CRIMINAL!” Trump wrote. He went on to suggest De Niro was breaking the law, though he did not specify what alleged crimes the actor had committed.
This isn’t the first time De Niro has publicly criticized Trump. The actor has been a vocal opponent of the former president for years, and his recent remarks clearly struck a nerve. The timing of the attack, immediately following the State of the Union address, suggests Trump was particularly sensitive to the criticism.
The dispute also reignited Trump’s attacks on Representatives Omar and Tlaib, who interrupted his State of the Union address with vocal protests. Trump called them “Low IQ” and described their behavior as “screaming uncontrollably,” claiming they exhibited “the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized.” He reiterated his call for them to be “sent back from where they came.”
Omar was born in Somalia and immigrated to the United States as a child, while Tlaib was born in Michigan. Trump’s comments echo previous instances where he has targeted lawmakers of color, prompting accusations of racism and xenophobia.
The escalation of rhetoric comes after a particularly contentious State of the Union address, marked by frequent interruptions from Democratic lawmakers. According to reports, Omar and Tlaib shouted accusations at Trump during his speech regarding his administration’s policies and alleged actions.
Trump’s response, delivered via Truth Social, is consistent with his pattern of directly attacking critics, often employing inflammatory language and personal insults. The attacks on De Niro, Omar, and Tlaib are likely to further polarize the political landscape and fuel ongoing debates about immigration, political discourse, and the role of celebrity activism.
The president also framed the criticism as evidence of his administration’s success. “The good news is that America is now bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before, and that makes them completely crazy,” he wrote, seemingly suggesting that the opposition’s anger is a testament to his achievements.
De Niro’s initial comments came during an appearance on the podcast “The Best People with Nicole Wallace” where he stated plainly, “He’s an idiot. We gotta get rid of him.” He also expressed concern about the prevalence of MAGA hats and American flags, stating, “I don’t want everybody going around with their Maga, the American flags, like they’re the only ones. We are Americans too.”
The situation highlights the increasingly blurred lines between politics and entertainment, and the willingness of prominent figures to engage in direct confrontation. It remains to be seen whether this latest exchange will have any lasting impact, but it underscores the deep divisions that continue to characterize American political life. Spokespeople for Omar and De Niro did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
